Crime in Maitland’s west is on the rise with recently released figures showing an increase in vandalism ranging from malicious property damage to vehicle street offences and assaults.
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Crime statistics tabled at Rutherford Neighbourhood Watch’s April meeting, reveal alarming figures for stealing from homes and motor vehicles and vehicle street offences.
The figures have prompted calls for CCTV to be installed at Rutherford Shopping Centre in a bid to better police vandalism and other crime.
Senior Constable Kel Boak told the meeting that between March 15 and April 15, there were 16 malicious damage offences recorded, 41 incidents of stealing from motor vehicles and homes and 45 vehicle street offences.
In other offences documented there were eight assaults, five break and enter offences, four drug detections, three stolen vehicles, eight cases of fraud, two fires and eight vehicle accidents.
Ben Hoffmann of Hoff’s Quality Meats said he has not had any issues with vandalism. “I don’t think it is as bad as it has been in the past but they (local businesses) could definitely use cameras around the centre,” Mr Hoffmann said.
In May 2013, Rutherford shop owners fed up with vandalism in the precinct lobbied the Federal Government for six CCTV cameras. Fairfax Media reported at the time that vandals frequently tag businesses in the old shopping centre late at night or early in the morning. Walls near Rutherford Post Office and IGA Supermarket were a regular target and shop owners were sick of the unlawful and expensive behaviour.
Rutherford Neighbourhood Watch chair Cr Henry Meskauskas said vandalism, in particularly graffiti, smashed bottles and garbage bins being set alight, has been a problem in Rutherford for far too long.
“CCTV would be the best deterrent, a great weapon in fighting any crime,” he said. “Last time we pushed for this we lost the funding through the Federal election. The crime is continuing and police are doing all they can.
“It’s about time council took a tougher stance against illegal dumping and graffiti,’ Cr Meskauskas said. He said businesses need to get on board and work with council as a team. “Crime figures are creeping up. There’s a new group in town responsible for this damage and it costs the community hundreds of thousands of dollars to clean it up.”